2026 Funding Opportunities

1. Nonprofit Status: UpMobility makes grants designated for charitable and/or educational purposes to organizations that advance its charitable mission and strategic goals. Our grantees include organizations that are large and small, established and new, based in the US and around the world. UMF makes most of its grants to organizations in the United States that have been determined by the IRS to be section 501(c)(3) public charities. UMF also occasionally makes grants to charitable organizations outside the United States that have 501(c)(3) status or that are equivalent to US public charities. Foundation staff will work with a prospective foreign grantee to determine whether or not their organization can meet the equivalency standard. 
2. Alignment with Mission: Proposed projects must align with the Foundation’s funding priorities and grant round guidelines. We strongly encourage applicants to reach out to Foundation staff prior to the submission of a funding request.
3. Geographic Focus: UpMobility supports organizations in our home region, the Mohawk Valley of New York State, as well as across the United States and internationally. Regarding partnering with organizations out of our area, UpMobility generally prefers to fund those whose programs might be scalable to a wider audience and/or have an innovative approach that the Foundation can share with our partners in the Mohawk Valley. Relatedly, UpMobility is especially interested in nonprofits who have a track record of or a strong interest in collaborating with other organizations. Organizations located out of the Mohawk Valley area who are interested in applying are strongly encouraged to reach out to Foundation staff for an introductory meeting.

The Application Process

1. Application Process: Eligible organizations will be required to complete an application. All applicants must be submitted via the Foundation's grants portal. Please navigate to the portal by using the "UMF Login" button in the header of this page. Applications will only be available if a grant round is being held or if an applicant has been invited to apply and has a password for the invitation-only application.
2. The required information will include:
   • Project Description: A detailed overview of the project, including objectives, planned activities, and timeline.
   • Project Innovation/Importance: Applicants will be asked to provide an explanation as to why the proposed project is important and/or innovative. 
   • Budget: A comprehensive breakdown of funding request, including detailed expenses and other potential funding sources.
   • Implementation Plan: A structured plan outlining key milestones, responsibilities, and execution strategies.
   • Evaluation Plan: A clear methodology for assessing the project's success and impact.
   • List of Collaborating Organizations: UpMobility seeks to amplify the impact of the work supported by the Foundation. UpMobility believes that, through partnerships, organizations can maximize impact and efficiency, leverage resources, innovate, and ultimately lead to greater positive change. As such, applicants are encouraged to include collaborative partnerships for all UpMobility-supported projects.
   • Sustainability: UpMobility is interested in supporting projects that will not be solely dependent on Foundation funding. Applicants will be required to discuss how program activities will continue after the conclusion of the grant. 
   • Supporting Documents: Required documents may include proof of nonprofit status or financial statements.

Review Process

1. Comprehensive Review: The Foundation’s team will conduct a thorough evaluation of all submitted applications using a rubric. The review will include a Guidestar Charity Check to validate the organization's 501(c)3 status. 
2. Site Visits/Interviews: As part of the review process, a site visit or interview may be conducted by Foundation staff.
3. Final Decision: Funding decisions will be based on the Foundation’s themes and funding priorities for the year. The UpMobility Foundation Board makes all final funding decisions.
4. Notification: Applicants will be informed of the funding decision via email in a timely manner, usually within 4-8 weeks after the deadline.

1. Grant Agreement: Successful applicants will be required to complete a grant agreement within the grants portal outlining the terms and conditions of the funding. All funding agreements also require awardees to provide their financial officer's contact information.

2. Disbursement of Funds: Funds will be disbursed according to the schedule and terms outlined in the grant agreement. UpMobility prefers to disburse all funds via ACH transfer. Organizations who receive awards of less than $25,000 may request a check. 

3. Award Acknowledgement: Upon receipt of grant funds, UpMobility asks that all awardees provide the Foundation written acknowledgement of receipt of the grant funds. 

4. Reporting Requirements: Grantees will be asked to submit regular progress reports and a final report detailing the outcomes and impact of the funded project.

5. Site Visits: The Foundation may conduct site visits during and after the project implementation to monitor progress and evaluate impact.

The UpMobility Foundation: Grant Making Policy

The UpMobility Foundation’s (UMF) grantmaking policies cover a range of issues that may arise when proposing and managing a Foundation grant.

UMF is a nonprofit organization, and as such we are nonpartisan. UMF makes grants designated for charitable and/or educational purposes to organizations that advance its charitable mission and strategic goals. Our grantees include organizations that are large and small, established and new, based in the US and around the world. UMF makes most of its grants to organizations in the United States that have been determined by the IRS to be section 501(c)(3) public charities.  UMF also makes grants to charitable organizations outside the United States that have 501(c)(3) status or that are equivalent to US public charities. Foundation staff will work with a prospective foreign grantee to determine whether or not their organization can meet the equivalency standard. 

Additionally, UMF may exercise expenditure responsibility (see Additional Grant Considerations below) to make restricted grants to organizations that are not 501(c)(3) public charities, including for-profit organizations and organizations outside the US without a charitable equivalency determination. UMF does not make grants to individuals. 

If an applicant’s proposal is approved by UMF, the grantee will be required to enter into a standard funding agreement with UMF before the grant is funded. This funding agreement and the finalized proposal establish the terms of the grant.

Prospective grantees are encouraged to read through these policies in advance of submitting a proposal. UMF is available to discuss any questions grantees or prospective grantees have regarding these policies. 

Our Grantmaking Areas

Information regarding UMF’s program areas and strategies can be found in the grantmaking area descriptions:

·       Advancing Education

·       Building Strong Families

·       Community Building

·       Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

·       Entrepreneurship

·       Strengthening Democracy

·       Healthcare and Helping Those with Special Needs

·       International Development

Application Process

All applicants must complete a grant application in UMF’s grants portal, Foundant (Logon - Grant Lifecycle Manager). UMF will offer open grant rounds in accordance with a Board-approved schedule but will also offer several by-invitation-only opportunities to select organizations.

All proposals submitted during formal and scheduled grant rounds will be evaluated by UMF staff using rubrics that emphasize the priorities approved by the Board. Grant awards recommendations will be brought forth to the Board for final approval.

Grants submitted in response to invitations from UMF and large requests (generally defined as those over $100,000) will undergo a full review from the Board. An invitation from UMF to apply for a grant does not guarantee that monies will be awarded.

All requests, regardless of size or type, require Board approval before awards will be made.

Types of Grants

UMF makes project support grants and, depending on the type of institution, general operating support grants.  Some of our grants may include a matching requirement which will be detailed in the funding agreement.

Spendable Grants

Spendable grants are to be spent according to the proposal, including its schedule and budget, and conditions specified in UMF's grant agreement. 

General Operating Grants 

General Operating grants support the core operations and overall mission of the grantee. 

Grant Terms and Conditions and Award Processes

A grant is not formally awarded until the Grantee receives a formal email from UMF’s grant portal. Grantees must certify the terms of the grant (listed below) and enter their financial point of contact’s information.

If a grant is awarded by  UMF, it is subject to the following terms and conditions:

The Grantee must confirm that it is an organization currently recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as a public charity under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(l), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), and the Grantee will inform UMF immediately of any change in, or IRS proposed or actual revocation (whether or not appealed) of, its tax status described above.

b) The Grantee must provide grant acknowledgement documentation which confirms UMF did not receive any goods or services, in whole or in part, in exchange for these awarded funds. 

c) UMF’s grants may be used only for the Grantee’s charitable and educational purposes. While UMF recognizes that Grantees may participate in the public policy process, consistent with its tax-exempt status, Grantees may not use any UMF grant funds to lobby or otherwise attempt to influence legislation, to influence the outcome of any public election, or to carry on any voter registration drive. Grant must be used for purposes described in the grantee’s proposal and related correspondence and may not be expended for any other purposes without UMF’s prior written approval. Grantees accept responsibility for complying with this agreement’s terms and conditions and will exercise full control over the grant and the expenditure of grant funds. UMF may request that grantees return any unexpended grant funds remaining at the end of the project.

c) Grantees will provide promptly such additional information, reports and documents as  UMF may request.

d) Grantees will allow  UMF to review and approve the text of any proposed publicity concerning grants prior to its release. If the grant is to be used for a film, video, book, or other publication,  UMF reserves the right to screen or preview the final version before deciding whether or not to be credited as a funder of the product.

e) UMF reserves the right to discontinue, modify or withhold any payments to be made under this grant award or to require a total or partial refund of any grant funds if,  under UMF’s sole discretion, such action is necessary: (1) because Grantee has not fully complied with the terms and conditions of this grant; (2) to protect the purpose and objectives of the grant or any other UMF charitable activities ; or (3) to comply with any law or regulation applicable to Grantee, UMF, or this grant.

Once the funding agreement has been submitted and marked as complete by the Grants Manager, it will be forwarded to the UpVentures Staff Accounting for processing. Most grants will be disbursed via an ACH payment. Grantees may request a check for any grant under $25,000.  

Use and Management of Grant Funds 

For grants awarded by UMF, the funding agreement specifies the terms of the grant, including the use of grant funds and reporting schedule. Grant funds must only be used for the purposes, over the agreed-upon timeframe, and in the manner set forth in the funding agreement and finalized proposal.
 
Awarded grant funds may not be expended on project costs incurred prior to the grant start date or after the grant end date without UMF’s prior written approval. Unless specifically discussed in the proposal, grant funds cannot be used as collateral, to offset other financial obligations (including interest payments on lines of credit, and securing or servicing debt), nor to meet cash-flow or general operating expenses. In carrying out grant-funded projects, grantees must comply with all applicable local, state, federal, and international laws, regulations, and rules, including data privacy and intellectual property laws. Grantees are also expected to maintain controls to see that use of grant funds complies with the rules and guidance promulgated by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control. 

Record Keeping

Grantees are required to retain accounting records, detailing all receipts and expenditures, for a minimum of three years following submission of the final grant report. With reasonable notice, UMF reserves the right to conduct on- and offsite audits of records related to the use of grant funds.

Conditional Payments 

Payment(s) towards grants awarded from UMF may be conditioned on the satisfaction of specific requirements. Where conditions are established, UMF will not make payment on the award unless and until all conditions have been met. UMF reserves the right to rescind a conditional grant when conditions have not been satisfied in a timely manner.

Collaborative Grants 

Foundation grants may involve work undertaken by collaborating institutions. In such cases, UMF typically awards grant funds to a single grantee, who is responsible under the terms of the award for reporting on the activities and expenditures of the collaborating organizations. 

Notification and Cooperation 

Grantees should promptly notify UMF of:

1. significant organizational changes during the term of the grant, including changes in key personnel and changes in tax status;
2. reported concerns about the legality or propriety of the grant activities or use of Foundation funds, and
3. filed claims alleging harassment, discrimination, or a hostile work environment; financial impropriety; or breach of fiduciary obligations by senior leadership or the organization’s board.

If UMF learns of such allegations, it expects grantees to cooperate with reasonable requests of UMF to understand the grantee’s policies and procedures, including what steps were taken in response to the allegations.  

Right to Discontinue Funding and Require Return of Funds 

UMF reserves the right to modify a grant, discontinue funding, or terminate a grant and require the return of grant funds if a grantee fails to materially comply with the terms of the grant or becomes unable to carry out the purposes of the grant.  

Changes in Grant Terms 

Grantees should inform UMF of any significant changes in proposed grant activities and should request advance approval to modify grant terms. Grant modification requests considered by UMF include:

1. extending the grant period to permit additional time to complete supported activities;
2. reallocation of funds to permit spending in a manner different than that described in the original budget (e.g., from one budget category to another);
3. rollover of funds from an older Foundation grant into a newer grant given for the same purpose;
4. extension of the matching period to permit additional time to satisfy a matching condition; and
5. transfer of grant funds from the original grantee to another organization. Grantees must obtain advance written approval from UMF for these and other material changes.

Upon request, UMF will consider requests for changes in grant terms. Non-routine changes, such as repurposing a grant, may require approval of UMF’s Board of Directors.

Additional Grant Considerations 

Particular considerations apply to grants involving the exercise of expenditure responsibility, or grants that are subject to a matching requirement. 

Expenditure Responsibility: In order to make a grant to an organization that does not have a public charity determination from the IRS, UMF may elect to exercise “expenditure responsibility” in accordance with federal tax law. Under the expenditure responsibility rules, UMF is required to establish procedures for assuring that grant funds are spent solely for the charitable purposes intended, and must receive reports from the grantee, and make reports to the IRS about the grant expenditures. If UMF elects to exercise expenditure responsibility, the grant agreement will require the grantee to spend grant funds only for the specified charitable purposes, maintain grant funds in a separate account for charitable purposes, and report on how the funds have been spent. 

Matching Grants: Grants may be subject to a matching requirement. In order to satisfy UMF’s matching requirement, matching funds must be newly received and in hand; pledges will not qualify. Gifts intended to meet the matching requirements will be valued as of the time of transfer to your organization. If UMF awards a matching grant, it will pay matching funds in installment amounts specified in UMF’s grant agreement upon the submission of gifts that meet the matching requirement. 

Grants Portal Terms of Use 

UMF provides grantee and prospective grantee organizations with access to its grants portal, Foundant (Logon - Grant Lifecycle Manager) as a way to streamline and enhance the processes for proposing and administering grants. Use of the grants portal is subject to UMF’s Grants Portal Terms of Use. Grantee and prospective grantee organizations are responsible for ensuring that their institutional representatives (“users”) follow these Terms of Use, including designating the principal contact and other users who may have access to a proposal and any confidential information contained therein, ensuring that users do not share accounts, and maintaining the security and confidentiality of accounts, and are responsible for any violations of these terms.